Cosmetic Fillings

At Ramsey Family Dentistry, we believe that fillings are often the best way to treat small or medium-sized dental caries. Though creating the perfect filling can be a delicate task, Dr. Kevin Ramsey performs the procedure with an experienced and artistic touch.

Why Do I Need a Filling?

Tooth decay occurs when the enamel on the surface of your tooth wears away. This happens because bacteria in the mouth break down food particles, creating acidic waste that interacts with the surface of the tooth. This is how cavities – also known as dental caries – are formed.

To fill a cavity, Dr. Ramsey first removes the decayed part of the tooth to prevent further spread of the cavity. He then inserts filling material into the opening formed by the decay. The filling material reinforces the tooth and helps prevent further damage.

Filling Types

Traditional amalgam filling has been used for decades. These silver-gray colored fillings are made from metal composites that include tin, copper, and mercury. Although effective, amalgam fillings can be unsightly. A tooth filled with amalgam will appear to have a dark spot that is inconsistent with the rest of the tooth.

We recommend fillings made from tooth-colored composite resin material – especially for teeth that are in the front of the mouth and clearly visible. These materials result in a much more natural-looking filling than traditional amalgam materials. In fact, the use of composite resin allows Dr. Ramsey to match your filling to the exact shade of your natural teeth, providing you with a seamless smile. Nobody will ever know that you’ve had a filling!

If you have existing amalgam fillings, you may want to replace them with white composite resin fillings to improve the appearance of your teeth. Composite resin fillings also have other advantages over amalgam: they require less tooth removal than their amalgam counterparts and also bond to the inside of the tooth to offer strength and structural integrity.

Bonding Using Composite Resin

Composite resin can also be used in a process called “bonding” to:

Improve the appearance of teeth that are cracked or chipped

Eliminate gaps between your teeth

Improve the shape of teeth

Whiten areas of discoloration

Dr. Ramsey first selects resin in a color that matches the exact shade of your tooth. After very little preparation to the surface of the tooth, he applies the putty-like resin, molds it, and smoothes it so that it corrects the inconsistency in your tooth. A special curing light is used to harden the material. After it has hardened, Dr. Ramsey makes the finishing touches – trimming, shaping, and polishing the resin material so that it blends in perfectly with your natural tooth. Bonding with composite resin is an easier and less expensive way to beautify your smile than other cosmetic dental procedures.